By Brandon Bocanegra, August 25, 2026
Cal Poly Pomona’s newest herd gathered in front of the graduation stage for the new student convocation Broncos Belong Aug. 19.
According to a video package presented to the audience as they filed into their seats, a convocation is a milestone event officially marking the beginning of an academic journey.
Broncos Belong began with an academic procession to the stage with the deans of each college and CPP’s new President Vanya Quiñones, who welcomed the crowd with affirmations of belonging at the university.
Political science student and Associated Students Inc. Vice President Kimora-Aoki Morley alongside ASI President Alejandra Lopez Sanchez followed by leading the pin recognition and Bronco Pledge, identifying the Principles of Community being “practice mutual respect, foster growth, cultivate belonging and act with integrity.”
“It’s about retention and ensuring our university that’s made up of mostly first-gen, low-income students know that they belong in a university,” Morley said. “They belong in higher places; they are allowed to dream and execute what their future looks like.”
Students walking throughout the campus were met with cheers and warm welcomes from staff and returning students dawning posters of affirmation and green and gold galore.
At the event check-in, students were given a free Broncos Belong T-shirt featuring artwork from contest winner, business administration student Angel Paredes that portrayed core visuals of CPP with a bronco, horseshoe, an orange and large hills in the background. According to Paredes, he was unaware the shirts were going to be distributed and worn by students during the event.
“Seeing thousands of students wearing the artwork I drew was something I will never forget,” Paredes said. “It really made me feel that I truly belonged at Cal Poly Pomona, I feel like I’m part of a community that welcomed me with open arms and accepts me for who I am.”
Biology student Alexandra Jimenez thought it was nice to see all the students gathered and welcomed by the school and appreciated the sentiment as a first-year student at CPP.
Following the main program, students and guests were sent off to explore the campus with a club fair in front of the library, a play zone featuring a variety of games, prizes and face painting on the College of Engineering lawn and a food zone in the rose garden. Jimenez took the opportunity to explore the campus and join the criminology club.
“I really like how there’s everything here,” Jimenez said. “Everyone can find their own interest here and meet new people.”
The club fair is not just an opportunity for incoming students to find recreational activities and meet new peers. It also helps clubs foster a community of their own and grow on campus.
Electronic systems engineering technology student Moises Santander is the current president of the Bronco Ascenders, CPP’s official rock climbing club. Revived in the spring 2026 semester, the Bronco Ascenders offer indoor rock climbing activities at the Bronco Recreational and Intramural Complex, outdoor trips and plan on competing at the collegiate level later this year.
“This is very important because rock climbing is such a big part of the campus culture here because we have a climbing wall,” Santander said. “We printed out 200 little mini flyers, and we’re down to probably 75.”
CPP’s previous motto “learn by doing” was a decision maker for new broncos like finance real estate and law student Jonathan Lowe. Lowe said the event was mandatory for all first-year students. Although feeling the requirement was unnecessary, Lowe enjoyed himself with his friends on campus and seeing what the university had to offer, especially at the club fair.
“It’s cool that were all able to interact and there’s guaranteed foot traffic for all these clubs because these people are putting in hard work, time and effort into being out here in the sun,” Lowe said.
